The Skinny - With Shannon

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Since it's finally Fall now I have been celebrating the season in full force. Pumpkin spice almond milk lattes, pumpkin spice rubios tea, gluten free pumpkin spice muffins, and today I made a pumpkin spice smoothie.... What?

As you can see I take the whole pumpkin thing wayy too far until I get so sick of it that I don't even want to see or hear about pumpkin anything-- ever again. Until... next fall. Then I'm ready for it all over again haha!

This morning I whipped up a delicious Pumpkin Spice Superfood Smoothie in my Nutri Bullet . Right now Jamba Juice has something similar and it's really yummy too. But Jamba Juice uses sorbet in their smoothies so there is always that added sugar. If you're like me, then added sugar is something you try to stay away from. Instead if I need to add sugar I will use a little bit of organic raw honey so that you get all the benefits from this superfood and not just empty calories.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Sometimes you just want a yummy fruit salad. Now that we are making the transition from summer to fall, we will begin to cook heartier meals. However the apples, grapes and almonds featured in this salad, it's makes it the perfect fall side dish.

IngredientsFOR THE DRESSING:1 cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt⅓ cups Granulated Sugar⅓ cups Coconut Sugar½ cups MayonnaiseJuice From 1/2 A Lemon½ teaspoons Ground CinnamonFRUITS:4 Apples (your Choice), Cored And Diced1 Pear, Cored And Diced1 Stalk Of Celery, Diced½ cups Silvered Almonds½ cups Walnuts, Chopped2 cups Seedless Grapes, HalvedInstructionsMix all the dressing ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl. Stick this in the fridge while you make the salad.Once you have all the fruit and nuts chopped up, pour the dressing over and stir gently to coat. Refrigerate any leftovers.If you would like a healthier version, you can substitute sugar with Stevia, and instead of mayonnaise, add more yogurt, either plain or Greek.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Having a healthy Gut Flora is SO important to having a healthy immune system, and with the cold/flu season approaching now is the time to get your gut in check more then ever. Here is 10 ways that you can help to keep your gut healthy and thriving:

1. Probiotics- I am such a supporter of probiotics. I tell people to take them like your grandmother tells you to eat your veggies. It's literally like swallowing gold. They are that important to your overall health. Plus it's so easy. If you only do ONE of these things on the list, I would say to get yourself a time release, stomach acid resistant probiotic. I love the Ultimate Flora brand. It's a time-release caplet that resists the stomach acid so the good stuff actually makes it to your intestines. You can also find it at Walmart or CVS, and you should store them in the fridge one opened to ensure a longer shelf life.

These probiotics send in an army of good bacteria which then go to battle with the bad bacteria and rightfully take back their territory. You see, with all the toxins we consume like caffeine, processed foods, alcohol, medicine etc, the good bacteria get weakened and then the bad bacteria take over. SO when you replenish the good bacteria with a probiotic they can rally back up and do the job that they are supposed to do. So imagine if you cut out a lot of the things that destroy the bad bacteria AND take probiotics how happy your tummy would be! The good bacteria would be doing the victory dance in your stomach for sure!

2. Eat "Clean" or "Paleo"- If you are on the fence I would do your own research and find what works for you. For me personally, Paleo style of eating works best for my body. I have battled with adult acne for years and some extra weight around the tummy area and taking on the Paleo style of eating along with probiotics has been the only thing that has given me huge success. Again, it's all about healing the gut flora, and with Paleo, you are cutting out most grains and sugar, which are one of the worse things for your gut flora because they rob your body of the good bacteria.

3. Eat fermented foods- Have you read my blog on Kombucha? Kombucha, along with Keifer, Kimchi, miso and other fermented foods/drinks are amazing for your gut health! They are amazing sourced of helpful bacteria PLUS there are studies that show that they also help to protect your from harmful GMO's. Win-Win. If you haven't jumped onto the fermented food/drink train yet then "All Aboard!" Toot toot.

4. Pump up your magnesium intake. Most Americans are deficient in magnesium. And it has been shown that if you are lacking magnesium you will crave more sweets. Refined sugars kill off good bacteria, which is what we are trying to heal. So, increase your magnesium = eat less sugar = healthy happy tummy. Cacoa is an amazing source of magnesium! Try adding a little cacao powder to your coffee in the mornings to turn your regular coffee into a Super Mocha, or make some Raw Chocolate Fruit Dip for a healthy snacky-poo.

5. Reduce your fiber intake. Whaaa? Yes. I know that we have always had it drilled into our brains that we need MORE fiber, but for the peeps that have an out of balance gut flora fiber is not friendly to your tummy. It actually feeds the bad bacteria so try reducing your intake of beans, grains and raw veggies and your tummy will be singing you praise in no time.

6. Eat well COOKED veggies- We do still need our veggies but when you have a sensitive digestive system you want to eat gentle foods. Cooked veggies will greatly benefit your gut flora over raw veggies because it's not as much work for the digestive system to break them down. Aside from that you can always juice, or use a NutriBullet, which are both amazing for extracting out the macro nutrients from vegetables and fruits so that you can consume them in an easy to digest state allowing you to reap all the benefits without your body having to break them down.

7. Cut out caffeine & alcohol and drink more water- Sometimes we all need our caffeine. I know this all too well. But if you are really serious about healing your gut once and for all and getting rid of things like IBS or Chrons etc then cutting out caffeine and alcohol for at least 3 months is a must. I'm not saying that you can't have an occasional drink here or there after you do the work, but give your body a break and just drink water. Try it, you will be amazed at how amazing you feel after you start to give your body the thing sit really needs and quit feeding it toxic foods and drinks. Instead of your regular cup of Joe, start drinking green juice or smoothies and in no time you will have more energy and alertness then you will ever get from a cup of coffee. This I promise you.

8. Pay attention to food sensitivities- If every time you eat wheat it sends you running to the bathroom, that's a major clue that you may have a gluten allergy. If after you eat dairy you bloat up like your 6 months pregnant, that's another clue that your body is telling you PLEASE STOP FEEDING ME THIS! Sometimes it can take a while to put things together, but starting a food journal can help tremendously. Write down everything you eat for the day and take notes on how your body reacts. Do you bloat? Does it cause diarrhea? Did it make you cranky and tired? These are all clues. And I know that some of us are so attached to our faves, like pasta or soda that we can't imagine ever giving them up. But consider that you only get one body and once your health takes a dive then your whole life takes a dive. What are you willing to give up for your health?

9. Eat Coconut Oil- Coconut oil is AMAZING! I'm so in love with this stuff. I cook with it, use it for a deep conditioner on my hair and I use it as mu body moisturizer. Coconut oil is naturally anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and a healthy source of MCT's or medium chain triglycerides which are the healthy fats that our body thrives on and converts into energy.

10. Last but not least, practice yoga & meditation daily. Meditation is so amazing for stress management. When you meditate, you are tapping into your body's own wisdom. You are connecting to your higher-self, where all the answers you need are waiting for you. You will experience more peace and clarity and also more happiness and increased energy.

Yoga helps to get your body moving. Your body CRAVES movement! Yoga helps to move the toxins out of your body by increasing sweat and by stimulating your lymphatic system. It's also great for the digestive system. The different twists and turns that you hold in yoga send fresh blood to the organs and encourage flushing of the body's systems. You will feel amazing after just one yoga class and it just keeps getting better with every class. The stretching and breath work combined with movement and spiritual connection that make up yoga, there is nothing like it. It's so good for your overall well being. Plus it's a great hobby to take up and a good place to meet now Friends! People have healed so many ailments just by doing yoga. It is one of my true passions and it is life changing!

I know this might seem overwhelming at first but try starting out with one or two of these steps and adding m ore slowly. Once you see the incredible healing power of healing your gut flora there will be no turning back. It makes all the difference in the world! I have much clearer skin, more energy, better mood, ZERO anxiety and so much more since I decided to take action and heal my life.

Let me know how these steps help you to heal your gut flora and if you know anyone who needs help with their digestive system, please pass this little blog along! Lets work together to help each other thrive.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

I can't lie, I've been guilty of going to Jamba Juice lately. I go through these little Jamba Juice kicks where I want it and then I won't want it at all for a while. I think now that the kids have started school again I've been going a lot because it's nice to drive over there kid-free and have a nice quiet breakfast all by my lonesome. Sometimes those little solitary moments are good for the soul.

The good thing is I don't feel guilty about indulging in Jamba. I mean, it could be worse, I could be sneaking off to a doughnut shop....! ;)

There are so many options for a healthy breakfast aside from a fruit smoothie at Jamba. Here is a run-down of my current favys:

Organic Steel Cut Oats

These delicious little buckets of oats are warm and satisfying, especially on a colder morning or a morning when you just need something hearty. I love that they are made with Organic Steel Cut oats, and cooked in soymilk so they are dairy free. Pictured here is the banana and brown sugar, and the blackberry-blueberry, but of course I like to be a rebel and ask for blackberry-blueberry with sliced banana AND brown sugar on top. Cause I'm just eccentric like that ha ha. The blackberry-blueberry is almost like a compote topping so you can mix it all up and have a oaty-berrylicious yummy treat. My mouth is watering right now just typing about it!

The Kona Berry Bowl

This Kona Bowl totally stole my heart. I was instantly hooked. It's like a thick smoothie blended with kona red juice, blueberries, strawberries & banana but topped with granola and fruit. It compares to the Banazi Bowls that I DIY'd, which you can read all about here. This is an amazing summer breakfast because you get the frostiness of a smoothie, yet the crunch of the granola and the sweetness of the sliced banana. I devoured this tasty little bowl and it was incredibly satisfying. I am definitely going back for more soon.

The Kona Berry Blast Smoothie

This beautiful looking smoothie is so tasty and it comes with a kick. Made from kona coffee fruit, pineapple juice, blueberries, strawberries, soymilk and raspberry sorbet. But it gets better because that kick I was talking about comes from the 3G charger that is added to this smoothie. A 3G charger is green tea caffeine and typically a "boost" option but Jamba Juice is so nice they decided to include it in the smoothie on the house. So it's kinda like a 2 for 1 special. You get a smoothie and you get your all natural caffeine too. Giddy up.

The Natural Energy Drinks

This little can of amazingness is an invention that I have been waiting for. I don't drink soda or energy drinks because my instincts and intuition tell me that they are very very bad for you. I don't drink a lot of coffee because coffee isn't the best thing for you either. So what do you do when you need the occasional pick me up. Grab one of these babies. They have all the lift and boost of traditional energy drinks without all the chemicals and hard to pronounce ingredients. Made with all natural green tea caffeine, 70% real fruit juice and only 90 calories, these energy drinks can be hard to resist. And for what reason? Sign me up.

I like to grab a Jamba Juice Energy drink and a little tub of Organic Steel Cut oats and slip away into breakfast heaven.

My only complaint with Jamba Juice is that their products are not guaranteed Non-GMO. They are beginning to get on board with more and more organic products as of late. Hopefully if more Jamba Juice customers begin to request that they use only Non-GMO produce and organic options, they will see that this isn't just a food "trend" this is a lifestyle.

I wouldn't make it a habit to eat at Jamba Juice everyday, especially when you can look up the ingredients and make your own at home so that you know they will be Non-GMO and 100% organic. But when you are out and on the go and you need to grab some food, this is definitely a better choice over a sugary doughnut any day.

First prepare chia seed gel. Place 1 cup of water in a bowl and add 3 tablespoons of chia seeds. Set aside and allow them to "gel" while you cook the oats. Stir the seeds after about 10 minutes and let them set another 10 minutes.

Next bring 2 Cups of water and 1/4 cup coconut oil to a rolling boil. Turn heat down to a simmer & add oats. Simmer the oats for 20 minutes. Stirring occasionally.

Take 1 to 2 tablespoons of the chia seed gel, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 tablespoon honey and combine them with the oats. Stir well. Next take a mason jar, a cup or a small bowl to build your parfait and add a layer of oats. Next add a layer of yogurt. Next add blueberries & sliced strawberries. Repeat the layering until you fill the jar/bowl.

For the topping add a "bed" of coconut shreds so that the fruit topping lays nicely. Top with more fruit. Lastly, sprinkle a teaspoon of cacao nibs & a dash of cinnamon on top.

Cover the mason jar or bowl of oats with a lid, or saran wrap and allow to sit overnight in the refrigerator. In the morning when you wake up, devour! There should be enough for 2-4 servings depending on your appetite (you don't have to fill the mason jars all the way to the top, I just did for the pictures but that would probably be way too much for one person to eat)

The great thing about this meal is that you can prepare them at night so in the morning your breakfast is waiting for you. It's great for saving time in the hustle bustle of the morning rush.

My girls absolutely LOVE this recipe and they have no idea that it is healthy & packed with superfoods. I hope your family enjoys this as much as mine does.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

I don't know about you, but I'm always on a mission to find a great deal. Nothing tickles me more then when I find amazing products at fabulous prices. Why pay more for something when you can find it for less? It just doesn't make sense. So I've always been one to shop around, and research different items to make sure I'm getting the best value for my money. I don't just buy the first thing I see, and it has served me well.

So with that in mind, I have great news. More & more discount grocery stores are starting to follow suit and jump on board carrying organic and healthy/specialty foods.

A couple weeks ago my Mom, who lives a few cities away, told me how she scored a bunch of healthy foods at her local Grocery Outlet. I was surprised & excited.

So today when I needed to visit the grocery store, I decided to cruise by my local Grocery Outlet and peep the scene. Typically I'm a hardcore Sprouts & Trader Joes fan, but curiosity got the best of me so I headed over to check things out.

To my surprise, they carried lots of healthy and organic foods. I found many Gluten Free choices too.

One of my super exciting finds was Zico Chocolate Coconut Water in the 1 liter size for $1.99. Typically the 12oz size is $1.99 and the 1 liter size is between $4-5 dollars!! I love me some chocolate and I don't drink milk, so the chocolate coconut water is delicious because it makes me feel like I am getting a decadent treat.

I also found 18 organic brown eggs for $3.99 which is mind blowing considering I pay $5 for a dozen everywhere else! But it doesn't stop there-- I got super excited when I turned the corner & saw a pretty good size organic produce section, I was not expecting that! Holler!

So of course I did what any blogger would do-- I whipped out my iphone & started snapping pictures so that I could blog all about my discount store finds. People were giving me weird looks but I didn't care, I was almost doing twirls around the store in a ballerina type fashion because my heart was dancing at such a beautiful sight.

I have literally prayed that organic foods will one day cost LESS then conventional food. That's how much I believe in this. We NEED the world to be able to eat organic, our health depends on it. So this was a very happy day for me, indeed.

Here are some pictures I took on my Grocery Outlet shopping trip:

It makes me super happy to know that with each day that passes eating organic and healthy is beginning to become a possibility for anyone no matter their budget. There are no excuses now! Gone are the days that people can say that eating healthy and organic is not possible because it's too expensive.

Lets help to spread the word to as many people as we can so we can help people live their best & healthiest lives!

Have you found some great prices on healthy & organic foods? Lets share with each other in the comments so that others can take action to start eating and cooking healthy & organic. The more we share the more we grow. ;-)

Thursday, August 8, 2013

This fruit, which is commonly mistaken for a vegetable, is called the "Testicle Tree" in Mexico (I know you got the visual) because they increase the libido in men. So for all you ladies who are looking to get your groove on, slip your hubby some guacamole to help you get the job done.

I read an interesting article by Dr.Mercola about the many benefits of avocado. In the article he talks about how one study showed that when eating avocado on a hamburger, it did not increase triglyceride levels beyond what was observed when eating a hamburger without avocado. You can read that same article here.

Here is a tasty snack idea you can make with this healthy superfood. I make mine on Udis Gluten Free Toast.

Split open an avocado and remove the seed. Place the flesh of the avocado into a bowl. Squeeze the juice from half of a fresh lime into the bowl. Next add a dash of Paprika
a dash of Cayenne Pepper , some Himalayan Pink Salt & a little pepper. Mash the avocado and ingredients together to create the desired consistency. At this point you should taste it to see if you need more of anything. I tend to like mine spicy so I am heavy on the spices, but you might want to start off light and then add as you go to taste. Sprinkle crushed red pepper on top & head on down to NOMtown.

& don't be stingy with the avocado. Put this green goodness on everything! From toast, to tacos, to an egg white scramble, anything tastes yummier with a little avocado. The healthy fat is so good for you (and your hubby will never suspect that you have ulterior motives when it comes to upping the avocado intake! ;))

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Chile Spiced Mango is so damn good, I can't resist them. I love sweet & salty and I love spicy, so naturally-- I love sweet & spicy. I stock up on bags of this stuff every time I'm at Trader Joes.

Not such a bad habit though, I mean... I could be popping donut holes, right? Yeah, way to justify it Shannon.

110 Calories & 0 grams of fat in a 1/4 cup serving. But you really don't need much of them to be satisfied. I will sneak one little piece when I am wanting something snacky and it does the job. Guilt free, healthy & delicious. Nomz!

Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go grab a little nibble of these spicy-sweet treats. ;)

Aside from the fact that it's PINK... Himalayan Salt rocks in so many ways.

But first, get the skinny on regular table salt:

Iodized table salt contains dextrose, which is derived from icky corn, (88% of corn grown in the US is GMO or Genetically Modified) & corn is one of the most common allergens.

Regular table salt contains desiccants and bleaching agents, anti-caking agents and flow agents derived from alumino-silicate of sodium or yellow prussiate of soda and is heat treated and iodized (processed crapola). In other words, it contains chemicals, chemicals and more chemicals. This is not a health food. I don't see anything good that can come from it. In fact, it can actually deplete your body of vitamins and minerals.

No bueno.

But not to worry! Pink Himalayan Salt not only tastes better then regular table salt, it has tons of health benefits.

Here's the deal-- We need salt to live. But we need PURE salt, free of chemicals in it's most natural state.

Himalayan salt restores the alkaline balance in our bodies. If your pH is unbalanced, then everything can get out of whack, fast. When it is balanced, you will be super healthy & full of energy. Not only does this pink goodness contain over 80 essential trace elements, it also is high in magnesium, calcium & iron. It's been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease water retention, & supports the liver, kidneys and adrenals to work more efficiently.

Check out this kick-ass Pink Himalayan Salt block. You use the grater to create a fine salt that you can sprinkle over your favorite foods. I may or may not have been sprinkling some on my Raw Chocolate Fruit Dip the other day (Sweet & salty is my favy).

I have seen Pink Himalayan Salt at many grocery stores. The best price I have seen has been at Trader Joes. In the store it goes for about $1.99.

Have you use Pink Himalayan Salt? I would love to hear about it. Send me a recipe to try and we can be pink salt besties.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

If you haven't noticed by now, I like sweets. I have a major sweet tooth. Sometimes when I get a craving for dessert I will go into the kitchen, start experimenting & whip something up.

Meet the Sun Butter Banana. I made this yummy little dime by splitting a banana in half, spreading some sunflower seed butter & then making it a sandwich.

On top, I added some coconut shreds & chia seeds for texture. Last, I drizzled some pure maple syrup on top.

Amazeballs, super healthy & low in calories! Just how we like it. Read more about the healthy benefits of sunflower seeds & sun butter by clicking here. Let me know how you like this yummy little treat!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

You've heard me talk about it before, how much I love taking Apple Cider Vinegar. It just makes my skin so hydrated and literally changes the texture. When I don't take it, I notice a difference in my skin & I don't like it! So I make sure to take it daily.

I have been getting creative with different concoctions, mixing it with various things to try to mask the taste. The taste is very strong and bitter so mixing it with juice is a must. I tried taking it straight once and just chasing it with juice but it was so strong it choked me and started burning my eyes & nose. The result? I couldn't get the chaser down because I was choking. It was a pretty funny sight to see, but not a fun experience!

Today, being the clever little bee that I am, a lightbulb went off and I thought to myself, why don't you just mix it with some superfoods and max out the benefits of this shot? So I grabbed some Trader Joe's Organic Unfiltered Apple Juice and some Cinnamon and started mixing it up!

The TJ's brand organic unfiltered apple juice is so damn good it tastes like you are drinking fresh apple cider. I am completely obsessed. I do like to make my own fresh apple juice whenever I can, but I have two young girls in the house so we have some bottled juice on hand as well. I don't always have time to juice when they want their juice & they want it-- now.

Cinnamon is amazing for regulating your blood sugar levels, which is good for your health in so many ways. It also helps to inhibit growth of harmful bacteria, which is great for balancing the gut flora. It's also anti-viral, so it can help to keep you from getting sick. And last but not least, my favy-- it helps to balance hormones, which I tend to need a lot of help with.

Combining cinnamon and apple cider vinegar together creates a very powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-virus, anti-aging concoction! It will also help with your digestion, increase your energy and balance your body's pH.

Mix 1 teaspoon AVC to 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon in a shot glass, and fill the rest up with apple juice. (Make sure to purchase the "Organic Raw Unfiltered" type of AVC, it has all the yummy probiotics in it because it hasn't been processed) Have another glass of just straight apple juice near by to chase it with-- this stuff is still strong no matter how you slice it. But hey, you probably have had worse, like those shots of Fireball you had the last time you had girls night and ended up dancing on top of the bar. But no worries, I'm not judging. ;-)

You can read more about Apple Cider Vinegar and how to mix it with other juices & superfoods here. If you haven't jumped on the ACV train yet, what are you waiting for? I am the conductor of that shit!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Many of you may know that I am obsessed with Superfoods because of their "fountain of youth" qualities and their low calorie, high nutrient properties.

I thought I would give you a peek at what's in my stash & tell you a little about my favys.

Goji Berries -- I like to add these to my Nutriblasts. They have over 20 trace vitamins & minerals such as zinc, iron, phosphorous, riboflaven (B2), vitamin E & beta carotene and are packed with protein and amino acids.

Chia Seeds -- I have a love affair going on with these tiny little seeds. They are packed with healthy omega fats, protein, & antioxidants-- 3 X's more then blueberries (anti-aging hello!) 2 X's more potassium then a banana and an abundance of fiber.

You can sprinkle these babies on anything really-- desserts, salads, fruit etc. You can blend them into your smoothies too.

Fun fact: When chia seeds are soaked in liquid the seeds "gel" into a ball. It's pretty rad! This also helps to make you feel FULL; if you consume them they will swell in your belly and help fight off hunger. One of my favorite things to make with them is Chia Seed Chocolate Pudding.

Cacao Powder and Cacao Nibs -- I'm totally obsessed with cacao powder. Cacao is chocolate in it's raw and purest form before it's been processed and all the nutrients have been cooked out of it. You can read all about it in my blog post here.

Cacao is a great source of magnesium (which happens to be one of the United States most common nutrient deficiencies) calcium, zinc, iron, copper and potassium. Not to mention it has tons of antioxidants (more then wine, green tea and blueberries!) AND it helps our bodies to make the "Bliss Chemical" which is why we tend to reach for chocolate when we feel sad!

And the best thing about coconut sugar is that is doesn't have that nasty taste like artificial sweeteners do! You can cook with it just like regular sugar and no one will ever be able to tell the difference.

Organic Coconut Oil -- great for the hair, skin, nails and helps to burn fat when taken internally. It's also a natural antiviral and antibiotic too! I would go on and on about why coconut oil is the bomb but I just need to save that for another blog post because it's so amazing it deserves the spotlight.

Raspberry Ketone -- helps to burn fat and increase metabolism. Tons of people have been losing mad weight with raspberry keytones because it tricks your body into burning fat and it's all natural with zero side effects.

Spirulina -- amazing for detoxing the body and rich in minerals and amino acids. You can read more about it on Courtney's blog-- she's this super cool chick that has a blog dedicated 100% to spirulina. Check her out here.

Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar -- read all about the miracles of ACV and how I use it daily here. ACV is amazing and it literally changes the texture of my skin. I can look at my skin and it looks dry and "scaly" but then I take my PMA Potion (recipe found here) and my skin looks so hydrated and soft as a baby's batootski. That's because it balances the body's pH, but again read all about it in my previous blog post or I am going to go on all day about this stuff! ;-)

Maca Root -- It energizes naturally without the crash of caffeine and is amazing for women's issues like balancing hormones & increasing fertility. On top of that, it has been shown to increase libido as well, can you say bomchickawowo??

Cinnamon -- You can take this in capsule form, or you can just sprinkle it onto food, desserts, tea etc. Cinnamon has been shown to lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, reduce arthritic pain and many other wonderful things! It's very warming for the body and it just tastes super good you know what I mean? ;)

Organic Raw Honey -- I freakin' LOVE this stuff. It's the most perfect-natural-whole superfood. A true gift from our little bee friends. It's been used since ancient times and for good reason. It's packed with calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, chromium, manganese and selenium. It can be used in place of sugar for a healthy sweetener that isn't going to spike your blood sugar like the white processed sugar will.

But make sure not to buy that little bear shaped bottle of honey. That crap is far from being real honey and it's really just high fructose corn syrup in a cute bottle. Sick! Read more about AMAZING raw honey in this article my number one dude -- Dr. Mercola -- wrote here. Love him, love everything that he's about. While you're at it you should devour his website. He has TONS of great health information on his blog. In fact, I spend at least an hour a week reading all his brilliant bloggys. Yes, I'm so far up Dr. Mercola's yin yang that this is not going to be the last time you hear about him, believe that. ;)

I hope you enjoyed this blog about amazing superfoods and how they can enrich your life. I get so damn excited about superfoods that I can't even handle it. I'm super excited to share this blog post with all of you because discovering superfoods is like discovering the fountain of youth! I will continue to share tips and superfood recipes with you on this blog for blog posts to come!